On this day March 19 1983 First Lady Nancy Reagan made a special guest appearance on an episode of Diff’rent Strokes as part of her nationwide Just Say No campaign against drug use.
The episode titled The Reporter was the 22nd episode of season five and featured Mrs Reagan visiting Arnold’s school to speak about the dangers of drugs. Her appearance was part of a broader effort to raise awareness about drug prevention through pop culture and television.
80s insight: Nancy Reagan’s appearance on Diff’rent Strokes was one of the first times a sitting First Lady guest-starred on a sitcom making it a historic television moment.